Xbox 360 dashboard update may make buying games online more expensive

It looks like Microsoft has already started phasing out its archaic Microsoft Points system. According to Eurogamer, the latest dashboard update for the Xbox 360, which is currently in beta, will list game prices in real-world currency instead of Microsoft Points. However, with this move comes a new problem. Beta testers are reporting that games are more expensive to purchase off Xbox Live.

According to Eurogamer’s source, 1,200 Microsoft Points converted into real money isn’t enough to buy what used to cost 1,200 Microsoft Points. Apparently, games that cost 1,600 points now cost £14.99 (Rs 1,340 approx), where the price earlier converted to £13.60 (Rs 1,216 approx). Games costing 1,200 points now cost £11.99 (Rs 1,072 approx), up from the original £10.20 (Rs 912 approx) price tag. Games that were available for 800 points are now £8.99 (Rs 804 approx), up from £6.80 (Rs 608 approx), and 400 point games are now £4.49 (Rs 401 approx), up from £3.20 (Rs 286 approx).

The update will phase out Microsoft Points in favour of real money (Image credit: Eurogamer)

The move away from Microsoft Points and into real currency for Xbox Live has been rumoured as early as May this year. This is undoubtedly an attempt to streamline Xbox Live for the impending launch of Microsoft’s next-gen console—the Xbox One. It will also help the company consolidate the marketplaces of both the Xbox 360 as well as Windows 8.

The company has been making quite a few moves that have widely been regarded as positive by the community. Back in June, it was revealed that the company had removed the submission fee for Xbox 360 title updates. Earlier, the Redmond-based company used to charge what some indie developers would describe as an exorbitant fee for any title updates that are made to their games.